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Atrial arrhythmias, and specifically atrial fibrillation (AF), induce rapid and irregular activation patterns that appear on the torso surface as abnormal P-waves in electrocardiograms and body surface potential maps (BSPM). In recent years both P-waves and the BSPM have been used to identify the mechanisms underlying AF, such as localizing ectopic foci or high-frequency rotors. However, the relationship between the activation of the different areas of the atria and the characteristics of the BSPM and P-wave signals are still far from being completely understood. In this work we developed a multi-scale framework, which combines a highly-detailed 3D atrial model and a torso model to study the relationship between atrial activation and surface signals in sinus rhythm. Using this multi scale model, it was revealed that the best places for recording P-waves are the frontal upper right and the frontal and rear left quadrants of the torso. Our results also suggest that only nine regions (of the twenty-one structures in which the atrial surface was divided) make a significant contribution to the BSPM and determine the main P-wave characteristics.

Three-dimensional surface topography offers a noninvasive alternative to radiographic imaging for evaluating trunk morphology and posture. This study aimed to establish normative values of trunk cross-sectional geometry and to examine their associations with spinal alignment in healthy young adults. A cross-sectional sample of 108 participants (62 women, 46 men; 19–23 years, normal BMI) underwent assessment using two complementary techniques: TorsoScan, which reconstructed 360° trunk cross-sections at thoracic levels T1, T4, T8, and T12, and DIERS Formetric 4D, which quantified spinal posture parameters. For each cross-section, sagittal and coronal diameters and cross-sectional areas were calculated; sex differences were analyzed using Welch’s t tests and effect sizes, and associations with posture were examined by Pearson correlations with false discovery rate correction and regression modeling. Trunk geometry followed a regular thoracic profile, with the largest coronal diameter at T4 and the maximal area at T8. Men showed consistently larger diameters and areas than women, with large effect sizes at T4–T12. Four associations remained significant: reduced mid-thoracic breadth and area were linked to greater lumbar lordosis, while upper thoracic depth correlated positively with thoracic kyphosis. Predictive models based on posture explained limited variance (R2 ≤ 0.19). These findings provide sex-specific reference values and demonstrate that TorsoScan and DIERS Formetric yield complementary, partly convergent measures that may support radiation-free evaluation of trunk morphology in clinical and rehabilitative settings.

We explored in 75 s long trials the effects of visually induced self-rotation and displacement (SR&D) on the horizontally extended right arm of standing subjects (N = 12). A “tool condition” was included in which subjects held a long rod. The extent of arm movement was contingent on whether the arm was extended out Freely or Pointing at a briefly proprioceptively specified target position. The results were nearly identical when subjects held the rod. Subjects in the Free conditions showed significant unintentional arm deviations, averaging 55° in the direction opposite the induced illusory self-motion. Deviations in the Pointing conditions were on average a fifth of those in the Free condition. Deviations of head and torso positions also occurred in all conditions. Total arm and head deviations were the sum of deviations of the arm and head with respect to the torso and deviations of the torso with respect to space. Pointing subjects were able to detect and correct for arm and head deviations with respect to the torso but not for the arm and head deviations with respect to space due to deviations of the torso. In all conditions, arm, head, and torso deviations began before subjects experienced SR&D. We relate our findings to being an extension of the manual following response (MFR) mechanism to influence passive arm control and arm target maintenance as well. Visual-vestibular convergence at vestibular nuclei cells and multiple cortical movement related areas can explain our results, MFR results, and classical Pass Pointing. We distinguish two Phases in the induction of SR&D. In Phase 1, the visual stimulation period prior to SR&D onset, the arm, head, and torso deviations are first apparent, circa < 1 s after stimulus begins. They are augmented at the onset of Phase 2 that starts when SR&D is first sensed. In Phase 2, reaching movements first show curved paths that are compensatory for the Coriolis forces that would be generated on the reaching arm were subjects actually physically rotating. These movement deviations are in the opposite direction to the MFR and the arm, head, and torso deviations reported here. Our results have implications for vehicle control in environments that can induce illusory self motion and displacement.

The role of torso computed tomography (CT) in evaluating body composition has been unexplored. This study assessed the potential of low-dose torso CT from positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for analyzing body composition and its relation to muscle strength. We retrospectively recruited 384 healthy Korean adults (231 men, 153 women) who underwent torso 18 F-FDG PET/CT, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and muscle strength tests (handgrip strength [HGS] and knee extension strength [KES]). CT images were segmented into three compartments: torso volumetric, abdominal volumetric, and abdominal areal. Muscle amounts from each compartment were indexed to height (m 2 ). BIA and HGS served as reference standards, with correlation coefficients ( r ) calculated. Torso muscle volumetric index (TorsoMVI) had the strongest correlations with BIA-derived values ( r  = 0.80 for men; r  = 0.73 for women), surpassing those from the abdominal compartments. TorsoMVI was also correlated significantly with HGS ( r  = 0.39, p  < 0.01) and differentiated between normal and possible sarcopenia in men ( n  = 225, 5960 ± 785 cm 3 /m 2 vs. n  = 6, 5210 ± 487 cm 3 /m 2 , p  = 0.02). In women, KES correlated more strongly with muscle parameters than HGS. Despite gender-specific variations, torso CT-derived parameters show promise for evaluating body composition and sarcopenia.

The present study aimed to examine the sizes of trunk and gluteus muscles in long jumpers and its relation to long jump performance. Twenty-three male long jumpers (personal best record in long jump: 653-788 cm) and 22 untrained men participated in the study. T1-weighted magnetic resonance images of the trunk and hip were obtained to determine the cross-sectional areas of the rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques and transversus abdominis, psoas major, quadratus lumborum, erector spinae and multifidus, iliacus, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius and minimus. The cross-sectional areas of individual trunk and gluteus muscles relative to body mass were significantly larger in the long jumpers than in untrained men (P < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.3-4.3) except for the gluteus medius and minimus. The relative cross-sectional area of the rectus abdominis of takeoff leg side was significantly correlated with their personal best record for the long jump (r = 0.674, corrected P = 0.004). Stepwise multiple regression analysis selected relative cross-sectional areas of the rectus abdominis and iliacus and the personal best record in 100-m sprint to predict the long jump distance (standard error of estimate = 22.6 cm, adjusted R2 = 0.763). The results of the multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the rectus abdominis and iliacus size were associated with long jump performance independently of sprint running capacity, suggesting the importance of these muscles in achieving high performance in the long jump.

Multiple myeloma (MM) patients complain of pain and stiffness limiting motility. To determine if patients can benefit from vertebroplasty, we assessed muscle activation and co-activation before and after surgery. Five patients with MM and five healthy controls performed sitting-to-standing and lifting tasks. Patients performed the task before and one month after surgery. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was recorded bilaterally over the erector spinae longissimus and rectus abdominis superior muscles to evaluate the trunk muscle activation and co-activation and their mean, maximum, and full width at half maximum were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed to compare MM patients before and after the surgery, MM and healthy controls and to investigate any correlations between the muscle’s parameters and the severity of pain in patients. The results reveal increased activations and co-activations after vertebroplasty as well as in comparison with healthy controls suggesting how MM patients try to control the trunk before and after vertebroplasty surgery. The findings confirm the beneficial effects of vertebral consolidation on the pain experienced by the patient, despite an overall increase in trunk muscle activation and co-activation. Therefore, it is important to provide patients with rehabilitation treatment early after surgery to facilitate the CNS to correctly stabilize the spine without overloading it with excessive co-activations.

Comprehensive injury-prevention training (plyometric, agility, balance, and core-stability exercises) has been shown to decrease sport-related injury. The relationship between trunk control and sport-related injury has been emphasized; however, the isolated effects of core-muscle training are unclear. To investigate the effect of a simple 8-week core-muscle-training program on the neuromuscular control of the lower limb and trunk during jump landing and single-legged squatting. Controlled laboratory study. Laboratory. Seventeen female collegiate basketball players were randomly divided into training (n = 9; age = 19.7 ± 0.9 years) and control (n = 8; age = 20.3 ± 2.5 years) groups. The training group completed the core-muscle-training program in addition to daily practice, and the control group performed only daily practice. Kinematic and kinetic data during a drop-jump test and single-legged squat were acquired using a 3-dimensional motion-analysis system. Three-dimensional hip, knee, and trunk kinematics; knee kinetics; and isokinetic muscle strength were measured at the pretraining and posttraining phases. For the drop-jump test, the maximal trunk-flexion angle increased ( = .008), and peak knee-valgus moment ( = .008) decreased in the training group. For the single-legged squat, the peak trunk-flexion angle increased ( = .04), and the total amount of trunk lateral-inclination angle ( = .02) and peak knee-valgus moment ( = .008) decreased in the training group. We observed no changes in the control group. A consecutive 8-week core-muscle-training program improved lower limb and trunk biomechanics. These altered biomechanical patterns could be favorable to preventing sport-related injuries.

This study analyzed upper torso rotation, which is crucial for improving pitch velocity and minimizing upper limb load during pitching. A simplified model was developed to facilitate the analysis which focused on torso torsion. In this model, the instantaneous torque transfer ratio and torso mobility were defined as key indices. We experimentally verified how these indices vary under three conditions: no torsion, static torsion, and dynamic torsion. The results demonstrate that torso mobility increases in conjunction with the instantaneous torque transfer ratio. Both static and dynamic torsion conditions resulted in higher instantaneous torque transfer ratios compared to the no-torsion condition. In static torsion, the maximum torso mobility was, on average, 26% greater than that observed under no torsion. In dynamic torsion, the maximum torso mobility was, on average, 69% greater than that observed under no torsion. These results indicate that torsion is effective in increasing both the instantaneous torque transfer ratio and torso mobility and that this effect is stronger in dynamic torsion. Therefore, torsion increased the angular velocity of the upper torso in response to torque input from the lower limb, potentially resulting in higher ball velocity and a reduction in upper limb strain. Additionally, the findings imply that the input required from the lower limbs to achieve a specified pitch velocity may be reduced. The simplified model and indices proposed in this study provide a foundation for designing exercise intervention techniques, evaluating athletic performance, and assessing injury risk related to torso rotation.

Wearable passive resistance devices have emerged as potential tools for enhancing athletic performance without disrupting natural biomechanics. This study investigated the acute biomechanical impact of a novel passive exosuit designed to assist torso rotation and enhance clubhead speed (CHS). Twelve skilled golfers performed swings under two conditions: normal and exosuit-assisted. Compared to the normal condition, CHS significantly increased by 2.55 % (P = 0.009) when wearing the exosuit, rising from 43.3 ± 3.8  m/s to 44.4 ± 4.0  m/s. Although no significant differences were observed in X-factor at the top of the backswing, maximum X-factor, X-factor stretch, or maximum rate of X-factor stretch (MROS), the maximum rate of X-factor recoil (MROR) was significantly higher with the exosuit (P = 0.03), indicating enhanced rotational recoil during the downswing. Mechanical work analysis revealed a significantly greater total negative work during the backswing (P = 0.04) and a higher total positive work during the downswing (P = 0.03) in the transverse plane during swings with the exosuit, reflecting enhanced energy storage and return. These findings suggest that the current passive exosuit improves golf swing performance by augmenting rotational dynamics in the transverse plane without altering swing kinematics. This offers practical applications for performance training and biomechanical optimization in golf.

Rural trauma patients are often seen at lower-level trauma centers before transfer and have higher mortality than those seen initially at a Level 1 Trauma Center. This study aims to describe the potential for Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) to bridge this mortality gap. We queried the Arizona Trauma Registry between 2014 and 2017 for hypotensive patients who were later transported to a level 1 center. REBOA candidates were identified as those with injuries consistent with major infra-diaphragmatic torso hemorrhage as the likely cause of death. Of 17,868 interfacility transfers during the study period, 333 met inclusion criteria and had sufficient data for evaluation. 26 of the 333 patients were identified as REBOA candidates. Our study suggests that REBOA may be an effective means to extend survivability to those severely injured trauma patients needing interfacility transfer to a higher level of care. •Uncontrolled torso or pelvic hemorrhage is a preventable cause of traumatic death.•Distance to nearest Level 1 Trauma Center is correlated with mortality.•Use of REBOA before patient transfer from non-trauma centers may reduce mortality.•REBOA for interfacility transfer may be a feasible use of hospital resources.